Amazon Care: Amazon’s telehealth service will expand nationwide this summer

Amazon’s virtual healthcare service, Amazon Care, will be available to all U.S. companies and Amazon employees starting this summer, according to a statement published by the retail giant. The telehealth service is currently available to Amazon employees and employees of companies in Washington who supply Amazon Care. The app, available for iOS and Android, virtually connects employees and their families to medical professionals allowing patients to live chat with a nurse or doctor via in-app messaging or video. The program also includes an in-person component in which a medical professional visits a patient’s home to provide additional care such as routine blood draws or listening to a patient’s lungs among other procedures. Amazon Care’s in-person service will expand to Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Seattle in the coming months. Amazon Care also provides COVID-19 and flu testing, treatment of injuries and illnesses, vaccinations, sexual health care, preventive care and prescription requests, refills and deliveries.Previously, the service was only available for Amazon employees based in Washington. The service expanded to all Washington-based companies who wish to offer it to their employees Wednesday. Vaccinations: New Lyft program lets users book a ride to get their COVID-19 vaccine or fund a ride for othersCOVID crisis: Vaccine conspiracy theories, hoaxes in Spanish targeting Hispanic community breed fear”By supplying Amazon Care as a workplace benefit, employers are investing in the health and well-being of arguably their most important asset: their employees,” Amazon said in its statement.In November, the retail giant opened its own online pharmacy, allowing customers to order medication or prescription refills, and have them delivered to their homes.Taqee Khaled, head of strategy at digital consultancy Nerdery and healthcare consultant, says Amazon has been preparing for this moment and could have competitive advantages.”That they’re ready to go national with this is a fearsome prospect for other platforms – and commences what will likely be the digital healthcare equivalent of a Hundred Years War,” said Khaled. To date, many startups and maturing companies play in this space.”Follow Coral Murphy on Twitter @CoralMerfi

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